PART 1

For your initial post (Due by Jan 25 Sunday 11:59p):

• Stop-motion animation has experienced renewed popularity in recent years. From a humanities perspective, what cultural, historical, or technological factors might explain this resurgence? How does stop-motions visible labor and tactile quality shape the way stories are told and received, especially in contrast to digital animation?
• Film and dance are often described as universal languages. In what ways do these art forms function as culturally significant practices rather than simply forms of entertainment? How do film and dance help communities preserve memory, express identity, or respond to social and political realities? Do humans depend on these embodied and visual forms to tell their stories, or are they optional creative expressions?
• Reflect on an art form that has resonated with you so far in this course. How does this art form connect to themes central to the humanitiessuch as meaning, values, history, creativity, or human experience? In what ways do the humanities shape how you understand your everyday life, even outside of academic settings?

For your replies (Due by Jan 25 Sunday 11:59p):

• Please respond to at least two of your classmates, but feel free to comment on more!
• You may respond by noting your own knowledge.
• Comment if you are interested in learning more.
• Respond with any positive comments or constructive questions.

PART 2

For your initial post (Due by Jan 25 Sunday 11:59p):

• Based on your reading so far from, “Where Does Art Come From?” how are art and the various forms of creative expression reflective of the people producing them, their cultural context, and the time and place in which they are produced?
• What meanings or values are being communicated through the various forms of creative expression?
• Why is death an important topic to humans? Explain. Is there any modern-day art that you have encountered representing death or the afterlife?
• Both The Raven and This Body Is Not Me engage with themes of suffering, loss, and the self. How do these texts invite readers to sit with pain or respond to it? What emotional, philosophical, or spiritual questions do they raise rather than resolve?
• When read together, what types of conversations emerge between The Raven and This Body Is Not Me? What tensions, contrasts, or unexpected similarities stand out to you, and why might these matter in a broader humanistic context?

For your replies (Due by Jan 25 Sunday 11:59p):

• Please respond to at least two of your classmates, but feel free to comment on more!
• You may respond by noting your own knowledge.
• Comment if you are interested in learning more.
• Respond with any positive comments or constructive questions.

PART 3-

EXTRA CREDIT: OPTIONAL WORTH 5PTS

Students will create a 2 page-long typed response to one of three review prompts. Responses must be in MLA format.

Purpose:

• Explore in writing what you have read/watched and what we have presented in the modules.

Instructions:

• Reply to only 1 of 3 topics/questions located below.
• Students are to submit their assignment by Jan 25, 11:59 pm using the submission link on this page.
• No Citations; this is purely based on your knowledge.
• Restate the chosen topic/question in the first few sentences of your response.

Topic/Questions:

1. Define creative expression in your own terms. Use examples from ‘The Living Arts’ to support your definition.
2. Using one of the critical perspectives, review the painting below. Refer to Module Week 2.
3. What makes painting, sculpture, music, literature, drama, dance, architecture, and film different from each other? What similarities do they share? Are there key elements intertwined? Describe and refer to ‘The Living Arts’ for support.

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• Title: The Kiss
  Creator: Gustav Klimt
  Date Created: 1908-1909
  Physical Dimensions: w180 x h180 cm
  Type: Oil on canvas

PART 4

HELLO CLASS!

I am so excited about your final project/paper. I hope you are! Below are the instructions for your draft due Jan 25 and also your final project and/or paper due Jan 31.

Instructions:

Students will have a choice to write a final paper or create their own work of art (project) and connect it to class content and themes. Possible themes/content include but are not limited to philosophy, religious thought, creative arts, literature, politics, history, poetry, drama, theatre, architecture, music, etc. Students can choose to write a 67-page final paper that analyzes and connects any humanities-based theme from our course or create a project representative of the humanities alongside a 2-3 page final paper.

For Project and accompanying paper: Showcase how the Humanities applies to your everyday life by creating a piece of artwork. In your accompanying paper, be critical of yourself, and identify/apply key themes and characteristics learned from our course that are applied in your artwork. Remember, there are many different types of art. You can choose the medium! Write a 2-3-page paper using 2 or more sources. 1 outside source and 1 source from our class.Papers must be at least 2 total pages long and follow standard MLA formatting (typed, double-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins). Please cite (using MLA) all of the required sources and have a Works Cited page.

For Paper only: Showcase how the Humanities apply to everyday life. Choose a work of art and interpret what the artist is trying to convey in terms of human life/living. Be critical, and identify/apply key themes and characteristics learned from our course. Draw connections with your personal life. Write a 6-7-page paper using 2 or more sources. 1 outside source and 1 source from our class. Papers must be at least 6 total pages long and follow standard MLA formatting (typed, double-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins). Please cite (using MLA) all of the required sources and have a Works Cited page.

Checklist for Draft Paper:

• 2 full pages or more; 1 minimum. Treat this as brainstorming, try to get some ideas out; write multiple versions if needed.
• Start your draft paper as if you are having a conversation with your friend, talk about life, and talk about your thoughts on the subject you are writing about.
• Do not include MLA heading, (my name, your name, class); only page numbers and title, please.
• Works cited should be at the very end.
• Your paper should include one in-class source and one source from your own research. So, one of the texts from class and the other is from your research from the library or a valid scholarly source. If you are unsure, ask me. NO WIKI.

Checklist for Final Paper:

• Check your page length and sources.
• If completing a project, submit the project separately. (Picture, video, or pdf; will be found in final module)
• Do not include MLA heading, (my name, your name, class); only page numbers and title, please.
• Works cited should be at the very end.
• Your paper should include one in-class source and one source from your own research. So, one of the texts from class and the other is from your research from the library or a valid scholarly source. If you are unsure, ask me. NO WIKI.
• Remember, this is a creative project, so be creative!
• For your paper, you are essentially doing what we have been doing in our discussion posts. Seeing how these methods of creative expression are relative to human life. Be that through any method of artistic expression.

PART 5-

Students will create a 1.5-2 page-long typed reflection of their visit. Responses must be in MLA format.

Purpose:

• Explore in writing what you have experienced at a location of creative expression.

Instructions:

• Visit a location of creative expression; this is subjective to you, I suggest a museum, gallery, theatre, church/temple, historic building, film site, play, or exhibit.
• Reflect on the art you witnessed and/or experienced. How did the location make you feel? What was the aesthetic? How was creativity expressed here and in what form? Did you like or dislike anything in particular, why? Did something specific stand out as beautiful? Was there a connection you felt between the work of art? Talk about your experience.
• Students are to submit their assignment by Jan 25th, 11:59 pm using the submission link on this page.
• Use citations and supporting evidence from texts/videos found in your Modules when necessary.
• Include proof of visit; this can be a photo of you there or a ticket stub. Not included in the page length.
• It does not need to be a paid event. Remember that there is a museum on the Cuyamaca campus, Heritage of the Americas, and parks usually have free events or historic landmarks. Attending/visiting a church or temple is also free.

Tips for your submission:

1. If you visit a historic building, church, or temple; remember about architecture and paintings.
2. Remember that literature is also considered art; attend a poetry reading or visit a state Library!
3. Going to a theme park this week or did you go recently? Or have you seen a movie in a theater? Hint Hint